ASTA Government Affairs Update April 2012 Commonwealth Business Travel Group Baltimore, MD.
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ASTA Government Affairs Update April 2012 Commonwealth Business Travel Group Baltimore, MD
Transcript of ASTA Government Affairs Update April 2012 Commonwealth Business Travel Group Baltimore, MD.
ASTA Government Affairs UpdateApril 2012Commonwealth Business Travel GroupBaltimore, MD
Today We’ll Cover…
•State Issues
•Federal Issues
•Industry Trends
State Issues
•Occupancy Tax Bills
•Registration/Seller of Travel Bills
•Travel Insurance Deregulation
Occupancy Tax Bills
Would subject TA fees to state/local occupancy tax.
•CT – 15%
•OR – 1%
•PA – 6%
•TN – 6% (average)
•TX – 6%
•VA (varies by county)
•FL – “positive” bill
Registration/Seller of Travel Bills
•MA – require TAs to disclose commissions•NY – require TAs to register with the state annually, pay fee•WA – increased regulation, trust accounting
Travel Insurance Deregulation
•NAIC/USTIA Standards•Three States Down – FL, KY, MN•47 to go!
State Scorecard – Fighting & Winning
Federal Issues
•DOT Rulemaking/Ancillary Fees•Independent Contractor Issue•Federal Travel Crackdown•Tax Issues
DOT Rulemaking/Ancillary Fees
•Rulemaking #2•Spirit Airlines Court Case•Rulemaking #3 - Draft Rules to OMB mid-May, Proposed Rule due 8/27
Independent Contractor Issue
•Administration Budget Proposals•Bills Introduced in House, Senate (“Fair Playing Field Act of 2012”)
Federal Travel Crackdown
•GSA Scandal•Coburn Amendment •Senate Transportation Approps Language•Sen. Rand Paul Inquiry•ASTA Grassroots Efforts
Tax Issues
•12/31/12 – “Taxmaggedon”
•Tax Code Reform – 2013
•Small Business Tax Bills
Industry Trends
•Agility
•Travelport/AA
•ARC Agent Reporting Agreement
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Contact Info
Paul M. Ruden
Senior Vice President, Legal & Industry Affairs
703.739.6854
Eben A. Peck
Vice President, Government Affairs
703.739.6842
